He said Sinn Fein's talks with the British and Irish Governments and other political parties would go on at least until Monday.

Security sources told the BBC on Saturday that the IRA could move on the arms issue without the organisation holding a convention - a meeting at which the IRA rules on matters of major importance.

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The latest round of talks was precipitated by the resignations of three Ulster Unionist ministers and two DUP ministers from the Stormont executive last Thursday.

Under assembly rules, there are another three days in which UUP leader David Trimble could prevent the collapse of the power-sharing arrangement and a return to direct rule by deciding to re-nominate his ministers.

Mr Trimble has said that would depend on the IRA putting its weapons beyond use in a verifiable and meaningful way.

If devolution is suspended for an unlimited period, it is likely the government will start a review of the implementation of the Agreement.

Meanwhile, John Reid and the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, will be among the guest speakers at a media conference in Belfast on Monday.

They will each give an address to a conference of the Society of Editors being held in the province.

The three-day conference, which began on Sunday, has brought together more than 130 of the UK's leading figures in the press and broadcast media.

Dr Reid and Sir Ronnie will be speaking during a sensitive time in the political process.

Editors and senior media executives from Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are expected to attend the Society of Editors conference to hear from more than 40 speakers.

Society president Ed Curran, editor of the Belfast Telegraph, said: "I am delighted to welcome this most prestigious event to Belfast for the first time, especially as many of the current editors spent many of their earlier years in journalism reporting about Northern Ireland."